 | Max. Weekly Benefit Amount $235 | Max. Weeks of Benefits 26 | Current Jobless Rate 5% |
$235
26
5%
Updated : November 4th, 2022
Mississippi Unemployment Benefits
Unemployed Mississippians can receive Unemployment Insurance (UI) benefits, provided they have lost their job through no fault of their own. On this page, we have listed eligibility requirements and much more information about unemployment benefits in Mississippi.
Eligibility To Apply For UI Benefits In Mississippi
The Mississippi Department of Employment Security (MDES) provides unemployment benefits only if you meet monetary and job separation requirements.
Monetary Eligibility
You can be monetary eligible for unemployment benefits if you:
- Have earned at least $780 in the highest quarter of your base period
- Have earned 40 times your Weekly Benefit Amount (WBA) in your base period
In Mississippi, the base period is the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters immediately preceding the starting date of the claim.
Find out more about eligibility requirements
Job Separation
You will be disqualified from receiving benefits if you lost your job due to any of the following reasons:
- You quit your job without good cause under the law
- You failed to apply for or accept a suitable job
- You were fired for misconduct
- You were fired for failing a drug and alcohol test
- You are unemployed due to a labor dispute
- You are receiving or seeking UI benefits from another state
Eligibility requirements – overview
Maintaining Eligibility
You should meet your eligibility requirements as long as you are unemployed and wish to collect Mississippi unemployment benefits. You can maintain your eligibility in the following ways:
- Be available for work
- Be able to take up a work
- Look for a full-time job
- Register for work at the WIN Job Center in your area
- Record your work search activities
Find out on job search requirements
How To Apply For UI Benefits In Mississippi?
You must submit the following documents to apply for UI benefits in Mississippi:
You can file for unemployment benefits online or by phone.
Online
Online is one of the fastest and safest ways to apply for unemployment benefits. You can file for Montana benefits online at https://mdes.ms.gov/information-center/about-mdes/online-services/. If you do not have access to the internet or computer at your home, you can use the computers at the WIN Job Centers or public libraries.
Telephone:
Alternatively, you can apply for unemployment benefits by calling 601-855-3133 or 1-888-844-3577.
How To File Weekly Claims?
You can file weekly certifications online. A week starts on Sunday and ends on Saturday. You must file the weekly claim after the week has ended but before the next week begins. For instance, if you are filing for week-ending July 9, 2014, you must file a weekly claim before 12:01 a.m. on Sunday, July 17, 2014.
Note that you will not receive benefits for the week you failed to file a claim.
Learn how to claim weekly benefits
UI Benefits Amount
Your benefit amount will depend on your earnings in the base period. In Mississippi, the Maximum Benefit Amount you will receive during your benefit year is 26 times your Weekly Benefit Amount or 1/3 of your total base period wages, whichever is the lesser. In Mississippi, the maximum benefit amount you can receive is $235, and the minimum is $30.
Benefits Calculator
Use the benefits calculator to determine your estimated weekly unemployment benefit amount.
Know more about the Benefits Calculator
Things To Know After Filing An Application
There are several aspects that you must know after filing for unemployment benefits.
Overpayments
Sometimes you may receive unemployment overpayment due to administrative errors, reversal of previous unemployment decisions, failure to report earnings, false statements, etc. If you receive an overpayment, the Department will send you an overpayment notice that includes repaying instructions.
If you fail to repay the overpayment, the Department will issue a collection warrant/lien. The Department may also put your federal and state income tax refund, and future unemployment benefits on hold.
Overpayment Through Fraud
If you receive overpayment due to failure to report earnings or false statements, the Department will disqualify you from receiving unemployment benefits and may seek criminal prosecution. You may also be fined a maximum of $500 and sentenced to 30 days in jail.
Benefits Extension
Normally, you can receive benefits for up to 26 weeks in the state. In case of a high unemployment rate, MDES may provide benefits for additional weeks. Visit MDES to know more about the extended benefits.
Job Training Assistance
MDES, through contracts with the state’s workforce areas, offers job training to those who are unemployed. The Department also provides several tools to ease the job search process. Some of the job search tools include:
- WIN Job Centers
- Governor’s Job Fair Network
- MSWorks Mobile App on AppStore
- MSWorks Mobile App on GooglePlay
- MDES Online Employment Services
In addition, the Department has also listed job searching resources to help you gather the necessary information in your specialized area. They include:
- Job Hunting Tips
- e-WIN Access Points
- Vocational Rehabilitation
- Federal Bonding Program
- Services for People with Disabilities
- Other States’ Workforce Sites
- Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act
Mississippi Phone Numbers
Find the below-listed fax and phone numbers of unemployment offices in Mississippi:Mississippi Unemployment Office Numbers
| MDES Contact Center | 601-493-9427 |
| TTD | 800-582-2233 |
| Unemployment appeals | (877) 994-6329 (fax) |
| Unemployment fraud hotline | 601-493-9427 |
Locate your nearest unemployment office
I am permanently disabled and had to retire from Federal Employment after 15 years, due to an on the job injury (2012). I paid into the system and never drew any unemployment monies. The doctors at that time loaded me up with pain killers and I am now getting out of the haze. After paying unemployment all those years, am I entitled to any compensation at this time? Been thinking about trying to go back to work again, I hate doing nothing. Also, I finished all of my classwork on a PhD at the University of Southern Mississippi, but had to withdraw due to the heavy dose of opiates the doctors put me on at the time. Perhaps there is a councilor that I could speak with. Now that I’m waking up, it is simply unacceptable for me to simply give up and quit. Need some advice. Thanks
Steve,
To begin with, I suggest you call the Unemployment Office and explain your situation in detail. Unemployment Insurance benefits are only extended to claimants who lose their employment due to involuntary reasons. Unfortunately, personal reasons such as health issues are not considered.
If my daughter is unwilling to sign a one year contract saying she is willing to relocate out of state will she lose her benefits?
Lori,
I suggest you ask your daughter to contact the Unemployment Office in your state to check the eligibility since each state has its own rules.
The job I have work is based on the weather. Some weeks we may hot work any can I file for partial unemployment.
Troy,
Seasonal employment does not generally qualify due to the nature of work. Please call the Unemployment Office for clarification.
have unemployment ins. issued 10\17\2017 took temp job from 12\18\2017 to 1\08\2018. didn’t do search file on website.was released cause i missed to
many days to illness.will i still qualify reunemployment ins.
Steven,
I don’t think that will be a hindrance. Please speak to a representative on the claims line to discuss further.
I retired at 62 with social security i have worked the last 2 and 1/2 years am i qualified to draw unemployment? my employer paid unemployment insurance in also.
Please check with the labor authorities in your state and apply accordingly.
Some states allow provision of both.
6 weeks later and no response from office.
Please call the claims center/customer service of the labor dept. in your state for further information.
I signed up 6 weeks ago and have not gotten a response on my claim.
Please call the claims center/customer service of the labor dept. in your state for further information or check online.
I’ve been employed in Mississippi for almost 2 years. I am a retired Marine and receive 40% disability rating for my back and shoulders. My pain has increased so much in the past year that I am in the process of being evaluated by the VA for an increase. My current job requires me to sit or stand in one place for most of the day which causes severe pain in my back. It also includes lifting heavy objects. I recently put in my 2 weeks notice because the pain has become unbearable on a daily basis and I cannot continue to suffer anymore. My question is will Mississippi allow me to draw unemployment until I can find a job thatt will better fit my situation. Thanks.
If we are offering someone over 20 hours a week to work and they refuse it are they eligible to get unemployments benefits on us?
I worked in 3 states beginning in July 2011 until the 17th of November of 2012. I started working in Jackson Mississippi in June of 2012. I have layed off from work due to lack of work. Will I draw unemployment from Mississippi or one of the states that I worked in before?